Office of Inspector General Announces December 2012 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twenty Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during December, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.

"There is no tolerance for individuals who deliberately cheat the welfare system," Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner said. "Our office works with all district attorneys to eliminate welfare fraud through prosecution, helping to preserve taxpayer dollars for the truly needy."

The following individuals were prosecuted and sentenced for fraudulently receiving public assistance benefits:

• Cheryl I. Breen, 58, of Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, received more than $1,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  Breen was sentenced to two years probation, 50 hours community service and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Aqeela Brown, 35, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,050 in SNAP benefits. Brown was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Mohammed N. Brown, 25, of Reading, Berks County, received more than $2,050 in SNAP benefits.  Brown was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.
• Frank E. Buffington, 38, of Middletown, Dauphin County, received more than $1,900 in SNAP benefits.  Buffington was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Angelique M. Calloway, 42, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, received more than $2,350 in SNAP benefits.  Calloway was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Ashley Clark, 25, of Warfordsburg, Fulton County, received more than $1,100 in SNAP benefits.  Clark was sentenced to 60 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Edward W. Daub, 33, of Allentown, Lehigh County, received more than $3,300 in SNAP benefits.  Daub was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Tammy M. Fishel, 48, of Enola, Cumberland County, received more than $1,450 in SNAP benefits.  Fishel was sentenced to six months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Beth Heller, 28, of Sunbury, Northumberland County, received more than $3,450 in SNAP benefits.  Heller was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Patrick J. Laudermilch, 38, of Annville, Lebanon County, received more than $1,100 in cash assistance benefits.  Laudermilch was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Tray Lias, 49, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits.  Lias was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Douglas H. Middleton, 59, of Reading, Berks County received more than $1,800 in cash assistance benefits.  Middleton was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Jamie Neidigh, 30, of Newville, Cumberland County, received more than $3,200 in subsidized child care benefits.  Neidigh was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Clarissa L. Ortenzi, 26, of Lebanon, Lebanon County, received more than $1,150 in SNAP benefits. Ortenzi was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Kathy J. Pittman, 38, of Ronks, Lancaster County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits.  Pittman was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Whitney J. Powell, 24, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits.  Powell was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. 
• Jose L. Rodriguez-Ortiz, 64, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,400 in SNAP benefits.  Rodriguez-Ortiz was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Kayla R. Shumaker, 23, of Titusville, Crawford County, received more than $16,250 in subsidized child care benefits.  Shumaker was sentenced to seven years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines. 
• Tracey L. Snyder, 45, of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, received more than $1,100 in SNAP benefits.  Snyder was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Helen Tang, 53, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,350 in cash assistance benefits.  Tang was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. 

The Office of Inspector General's Bureau of Fraud Prevention and Prosecution is responsible for investigating welfare fraud and conducting collection activities for programs administered by, or contracted through, the Department of Public Welfare. 

The Office of Inspector General works with county assistance offices statewide to identify suspected cases of public assistance fraud and with local district attorneys to bring the cases to prosecution. 

Anyone found guilty of welfare fraud could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, fines up to $15,000, mandatory restitution, and program disqualification.

The Office of Inspector General also relies on tips from concerned citizens. To report suspected fraud, call the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582. Callers may remain anonymous.

Visit the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General online at www.oig.state.pa.us.

Media contact: James H. Timko, 717-787-6835

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General